Devotees in Coimbatore marked the Tamil New Year on Monday with religious fervor, offering special prayers at temples and celebrating the occasion with unique and extravagant rituals. Temples across the city were adorned with colorful garlands of currency notes, fruits, and flowers, as worshippers sought blessings for prosperity and well-being.
At the Kattodor Muthumariamman Temple, a garland made of currency notes in denominations of Rs 200 and Rs 500 – valued at over Rs 1 crore – was offered to the deity. The idol was further embellished with gold and diamond jewelry. Rajalakshmi, a devotee from Karamadai, who attended the temple, expressed her admiration for the grand display. “Unlike the usual days, it is a true blessing to see the goddess in such glory. We believe that such a darshan will bring prosperity to the family,” she said.
In another part of the city, Lord Vinayaga at the Mundhi Vinayagar Temple in Puliakulam was decorated with over two tonnes of fruits. The deity at the Sithi Vinayagar Temple in Ramanathapuram was adorned with 16 varieties of perfumes and sandalwood decorations. Meanwhile, Lord Anjaneyar at the Ashtamsa Varadha Anjaneyar Temple in Peelamedu was offered an impressive arrangement of around one lakh fruits.
In addition to the Tamil New Year celebrations, the Malayalee community in Coimbatore marked Vishu with traditional prayers, with many visiting the Sidhapudur Ayyappan Temple.
The celebrations were not confined to religious activities alone, as tourist spots in the region saw a significant increase in visitors. Over 2,200 people visited the Kovai Kutralam Falls on Monday, a popular attraction that is typically closed for maintenance on Mondays. Due to the public holiday, the management kept the falls open, resulting in a surge in footfall from the usual 700-800 visitors to over 2,200. Most visitors were families, enjoying the festive atmosphere. Similar increases in foot traffic were observed at other popular tourist spots around the district.
The combination of spiritual observances and tourism highlighted the vibrant atmosphere in Coimbatore, as the city welcomed the Tamil New Year with a blend of tradition, devotion, and community engagement.
